Where social justice & birth activism meet

events

I’m heading out this week to do two speaking events, so if you’re in the Philly area, you should join!

I love any and all opportunity to talk about the activism I’m involved in, and I’m beyond pleased that doula work is gaining enough prominence that I get more and more requests to come speak about it.

On Wednesday I’ll be speaking at the University of Pennsylvania, hosted by groups primarily in the Nursing School. Major thanks to Ryan Pryor who organized the event! I’ll be talking about doulas, reproductive justice and community-based interventions to health care. I’m jazzed to be speaking to future health care professionals–a group that has the power to really change our health care system.

Details:

Radical Doulas & Reproductive Justice: Community-based health

Miriam Zoila Perez will talk about her work as a full-spectrum doula, writer and activist. There is a growing movement of doulas working to improve pregnant people’s health care experiences through one-on-one emotional, physical and informational suport. How are doulas changing health care experiences? How can providers collaborate with doulas? Miriam will discuss this important and growing movement, and it’s many connections to health care activist work.

In the evening there will also be a get together, for those who can’t make the event and folks who want to talk more. Details: New Deck Tavern on 34th and Sansom (3408 Sansom St Philadelphia, PA 19104), 7:30-9:30pm

I’m psyched to announce that Tuesday, November 27, we’ll be hosting a Twin Cities Radical Doula Guide Release Party in conjunction with the Family Tree Clinic, NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota, and the Smitten Kitten. The party will benefit The Ilythia Project, a group that provides doula services for pregnant women living with HIV.

It’s going to be a low-key get together, with opportunities to purchase the guide, get to know local doulas and reproductive justice activists, and raise funds for The Ilythia Project! We’ll have a short discussion about the guide, Q&A and a raffle. Light snacks and beverages provided. There will also be a photobooth!

I’m really excited for this event, which once again will be hosted at another fabulous feminist sex shop, Smitten Kitten (review I wrote in 2008!).

Those of you who pre-ordered the guide through the indiegogo campaign will receive it in the mail by the end of August, but if you are in NYC this is your chance to come pick it up in person, hang out with other doulas and doula supporters, and get your copy early!

If you haven’t pre-ordered a guide, but happen to live in the NYC area, this is your first chance to purchase one for the post-fundraiser price of $12 (and no shipping!).

I’ve poured many, many hours and lots of sweat into this 48 page political primer for doulas, and I’m really excited to finally be able to get it out into the world. I really hope it will be a useful tool for all and have much gratitude to everyone who helped make this happen.

Facebook event here. I hope to see many of you there! At the event we’ll also be raising funds for The Doula Project, a group that I helped to found that provides free support across the spectrum of pregnancy to folks in NYC.

I also have tentative plans to do launch parties in other cities (DC, Bay Area, ?) so stay tuned.